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Las Vegas vs Los Angeles cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Las Vegas
๐บ๐ธ Los Angeles
At a glance
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Transit (71%โ), Scooter rental (50%โ), Half-day tour (25%โ)
- Where Las Vegas is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (40%โ), Hotel night (25%โ), Haircut (17%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Las Vegas is easier to travel (1.6 vs 2.0). Biggest gap: getting around โ Las Vegas 2 vs Los Angeles 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 18$18 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 12$12 | $ 11$11 | Los Angeles โ8% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 45$45 | $ 48$48 | Las Vegas โ6% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6.5$6.5 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Los Angeles โ15% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 9$9 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 17$17 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 3.5$3.5 | $ 3$3 | Los Angeles โ14% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | $ 18$18 | Las Vegas โ11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | $ 10$10 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 6$6 | $ 1.75$1.75 | Los Angeles โ71% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 70$70 | $ 35$35 | Los Angeles โ50% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 150$150 | $ 200$200 | Las Vegas โ25% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,250$1,250 | $ 2,100$2,100 | Las Vegas โ40% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 26$26 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 25$25 | $ 30$30 | Las Vegas โ17% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 85$85 | $ 75$75 | Los Angeles โ12% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 75$75 | Los Angeles โ25% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 32$32 | $ 28$28 | Los Angeles โ12% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Las Vegas or Los Angeles?
Las Vegas is 18% cheaper than Los Angeles. Daily budget $308 vs $368; a month $5,762 vs $7,222.
Which is easier to travel, Las Vegas or Los Angeles?
Las Vegas is easier: Las Vegas 1.6/5 vs Los Angeles 2.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Las Vegas and Los Angeles?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Las Vegas is about $5,762 and Los Angeles about $7,222 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.